Kat McNamara Interview On Women In Sci-Fi

Is The Future Of Sci-Fi About To Look Very Different? Kat McNamara Is Leading The Charge

There was a period when women were overlooked in action films, but those times are a changin’. That’s especially true in the realm of science fiction, as there’s a big girl power movement. Katniss in Hunger Games, Rey in Star Wars, Furiosa in Mad Max and an all-female Ghostbusters crew…women are kicking butt in a big way.

Another one that fits the description is Katherine McNamara, who is up-and-coming in the world of sci-fi. Not only is she killing evil as the lead of Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments (you might also remember her from Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials), she's now looking to land one of the 99 spots on our 2016 #CrushList.

We caught up with one of our crushes to find out what it takes to be a badass female sci-fi character. And don’t forget to vote for her!

The toughness and the willingness to believe. That passion for whatever they’re fighting for — a cause, a person or love — that creates their recklessness and willingness to dive in head-first.

There’s also a certain vulnerability. That’s something that people don’t think about as often with these characters. That’s what humanizes them and makes people care about them. They do have flaws and vulnerabilities. That’s the package that makes a badass.

Who are your favorite female characters in science fiction right now?

Rey in Star Wars is the epitome of women in sci-fi right now. Obviously, Carrie Fisher/Princess Leia, as I grew up watching Star Wars. That character has always been at the center of my sci-fi life. Jessica Jones is also one of my favorites and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow.

It’s really kind of an exciting time to be a female in the sci-fi world right now because there are so many rich and developed characters in that world.

To that point, some people say it’s a moment, others say it is a trend, but why do you think women have been the stars of so many of the biggest sci-fi films recently like Star Wars, Hunger Games and Gravity?

It’s time. They always develop stories in new ways and change perspectives on things. For a long time, there was a focus on men and displaying the masculine side of things, but now it’s just a transition to change that point of view. Women are tough, women are resilient and have an undying hope. It provides another perspective to tell these stories.

Do you think female leads in sci-fi walk a fine line where they have to be strong, exert a certain sense of toughness, but can’t take it too far or they’re viewed negatively, less lady-like?

There is a line but if you base it in reality, then it all comes from a place of honesty. Women are tough but sometimes women present toughness in different ways. A woman can be demure, lady-like and the most prim and proper character, and still have a toughness and resiliency as apparent as a superhero-type female character or a warrior or soldier type. It’s all about the story, the character and the course of events in that piece of work and how that character is presented.

I saw you speak about the double-standard for men and women in sci-fi — particularly super heroes. You commented that your character, Clary, always fights in heels and a dress. I guess society isn’t ready for Lara Croft’s morning no-makeup selfie?

Perhaps the world isn’t ready for a no-makeup selfie from Lara Croft, but that’s just the nature of that story. That’s what it all comes down to: if it comes together to tell the story effectively, that’s what it’s all about.

A lot of times on our show, Shadowhunters, we have excuses to dawn some kind of sexy black leather attire under the excuse that we’re going to fight demons but it’s all part of the tone of the piece and the tone of the story.